State Fair Smoked Turkey Legs Recipes

STATE FAIR SMOKED TURKEY LEGS

Steps:

• 1. Bring all ingredients EXCEPT Turkey to a boil. Stir to dissolve salt and sugar. Let it sit to room temperature. Put the brine in the fridge to get cold.
• 2. Slide your fingers under the turkey leg skins to separate the turkey meat from the skin. Do not remove the skin, but slide it to the bottom of the leg.
• 3. ***Note You want to brine the meat. So leave the skin around the bottom of the leg.
• 4. Place the cold marinade into a food-safe bucket....they are cheap and easy to find. Add the turkey legs with the skin around the turkey's ankles. Let sit in the fridge overnight and up to 24 hours.
• 5. ******Note Be careful, the longer it sits in the brine the less your meat will remain in a solid state....I personally prefer overnight.
• 6. Rinse the turkey legs under cold water and return the skin to cover the legs. Pat dry with paper towels.
• 7. Preheat the smoker to 250. I used apple wood chips. Place the turkey legs on the smoker girll and allow to smoke for 1 1/2 hours....flip the legs over and continue for another 1 1/2 hours.
• 8. Remove and enjoy, or do like I am doing and zip seal them in vacuum pack bags to take hiking on your next adventure.

COUNTY FAIR TURKEY LEGS WITH SWEET AND SPICY BBQ SAUCE

Steps:

• For the turkey legs: Set the turkey legs on a baking sheet and wrap the bone end with foil. Mix the paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt, thyme, garlic powder and pepper together in a small bowl, then sprinkle over the turkey legs liberally. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
• Roast the turkey legs until golden brown with an internal temperature of 160 degrees F, 40 to 45 minutes. Turn the oven to the broil setting. Brush the legs with the honey and return to the oven to broil until the skin is caramelized, 1 to 2 more minutes.
• For the sweet and spicy BBQ sauce: Meanwhile, mix the BBQ sauce, honey, hot sauce and soy sauce together in a bowl. Serve alongside the turkey legs.